A helium balloon which was released in memory of a Lancashire woman who died earlier this year has been found over 500 miles away – in Holland.

Anne-Louise Abram died from cancer at the age of 38 in March and a charity event was held in her home village, Hesketh Bank, on Saturday night at the local bowling club.

At one point during the evening, messages and pictures where attached to 100 balloons and then let off into the air as a tribute.

But Anne-Louise's family received an unexpected email the following day when a couple called Renee Abrahamsz and Joost Heystekfrom from Maarssen, Holland, claimed to have found the balloon in an empty field.

The organiser of the charity event, Graham Ormesher, said: “The balloons only had a small tag with a message and picture so it's remarkable that the Dutch couple managed to contact the family.

”They sent a picture of the balloon and I couldn't believe it when I saw the email.

“It was a successful evening and we raised a lot of money for charity but I never expected to hear about the balloons again.

”It was even more fitting that this particular message was sent by the parents of Anne-Louise's partner, Phil Whiting.“

The event, held at the Hesketh Bank bowling club, raised nearly £1,500 through sales and a raffle but this sum is set to rise even more once the funds from the bar are added.

Graham added: ”We had an Elvis impersonator and it turned out to be a brilliant turnout with over 100 people in attendance.“

All funds will be donated to Queenscourt Hospice and a cheque will be presented to them on Thursday September 19.